Crispy gnocchi with sausage and sage brown butter is a dish that marries the pillowy softness of gnocchi with the savory richness of sausage and the fragrant, nutty allure of sage brown butter. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds and make for an unforgettable dining experience.

Preparing the Gnocchi

To begin with, you can either make your gnocchi from scratch or use store – bought ones. If you’re making them at home, start with baking potatoes. Boil the potatoes until they are tender. Once cooked, peel them and mash them thoroughly. You can use a potato ricer for the best texture. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes with some all – purpose flour, an egg, and a pinch of salt. Knead the mixture gently until it forms a smooth dough. Be careful not to overwork the dough as it can make the gnocchi tough.

Divide the dough into smaller pieces and roll them into long ropes. Cut the ropes into small, bite – sized pieces. At this point, you can shape the gnocchi using a fork to create those characteristic ridges. These ridges will help the gnocchi hold the sauce better. If you’re using store – bought gnocchi, simply take them out of the package and set them aside.

Cooking the Sausage

For the sausage, choose your favorite variety. It could be a spicy Italian sausage, a sweet fennel sausage, or a mild breakfast sausage. Remove the casing if it has one and crumble the sausage into a large skillet. Cook the sausage over medium – high heat, stirring frequently to break it up into small pieces. As the sausage cooks, it will release its fat and turn a beautiful golden – brown color. Once it’s cooked through and nicely browned, remove the sausage from the skillet using a slotted spoon and set it aside.

Making the Sage Brown Butter

The sage brown butter is what truly elevates this dish. In the same skillet that you cooked the sausage (you can wipe it out a bit if there’s too much fat), add a stick of unsalted butter. Melt the butter over medium heat. As the butter melts, it will start to foam. Keep an eye on it as it continues to cook. You’ll notice the butter changing color from a pale yellow to a golden – brown hue. This is the process of browning the butter, and it imparts a rich, nutty flavor.

While the butter is browning, add a handful of fresh sage leaves. The sage leaves will crisp up in the hot butter, releasing their aromatic oils. The combination of the browned butter and the sage creates a heavenly scent that fills the kitchen. Once the butter has reached a nice brown color and the sage leaves are crispy, remove the skillet from the heat.

Crisping the Gnocchi

In a separate large skillet, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over medium – high heat. Add the gnocchi to the hot oil. Cook the gnocchi until they are golden – brown and crispy on the outside. This usually takes about 5 – 7 minutes. You may need to stir them occasionally to ensure even browning. The contrast between the crispy exterior and the soft interior of the gnocchi is what makes this dish so special.

Combining the Ingredients

Once the gnocchi are crispy, add the cooked sausage back to the skillet with the gnocchi. Pour the sage brown butter over the gnocchi and sausage. Toss everything together gently to make sure each gnocchi and piece of sausage is coated with the delicious brown butter. The crispy sage leaves should also be distributed throughout the dish.

Serving and Enjoying

Crispy gnocchi with sausage and sage brown butter can be served as a main course. You can sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra touch of flavor. The combination of the crispy gnocchi, savory sausage, and the fragrant sage brown butter is a match made in heaven. Serve it in warm bowls and enjoy the deliciousness. It’s a dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home or for impressing guests with your culinary skills. The unique blend of textures and flavors will leave everyone asking for seconds.